Govt turns down termination request of Ampalit Mas Perdana

The government has turned down the request of gold mining company PT Ampalit Mas Perdana for the termination of its contract on the grounds that the company had not yet fulfill its obligation of reclaiming its former gold mine in Central Kalimantan, Kapos daily reported.

Head of the Central Kalimantan province's mines and energy office Abdul Fatah Yoesoef told reporters last week Ampalit had yet to reclaim 70 percent of its 10,744.86 hectare gold mine.

"If the company wants its plan to terminate its contract be approved by the government, it should first fulfill its (reclamation) obligation," Abdul said.

According to Abdul, the company had reclaimed 30 percent of the gold mine but the reclaimed area was later damaged by the local illegal miners

He said the company was not longer responsible for the damage on the reclaimed area. (*)